DOH reiterates campaign against smoking, vaping

The Department of Health (DOH) renewed its calls against smoking and vaping, emphasizing the harm that tobacco and other chemicals may bring to users.

In a video on Friday, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that the health sector’s fight against nicotine addiction had become more complicated with the emergence of vaping.

“We know sa health sector na masama ang tobacco smoke sa ating mga katawan. Ibat-ibang sakit, cancer, altapresyon, baga, at kung ano-ano pa na nakukuha sa addiction sa nikotina ng tobacco. Ngayon, nagbago yung sitwasyon,” he shared.

(We know in the health sector that tobacco smoke is harmful to our bodies. There are different illnesses like cancer, hypertension, lung [cancers], and others that may occur due to addiction to nicotine in tobacco. Now, the situation has changed.)

“Yung iba, sinasabi [na] safer ang vape than cigarette smoking. Ang lumalabas ngayon sa siyensa, sa agham, at sa pananaliksik, ay mas masama pa pala itong vaping. Kasi nga, madaming ibang chemicals na nacau-cause ng ibat-ibang epekto sa katawan,” he added.

(Others are saying [that] vape is safer than cigarette smoking. What we’re seeing now with science and research is that it’s worse than vaping. This is because there are a lot of chemicals that cause different effects in the body.)

Herbosa shared that doctors had found evidence of E-VALI or E-Cigarette and Vape Associated Injury, and noted that the Philippines had recorded the first case of vape-related death in the world.

Packaging solutions to deter vaping, smoking

Herbosa said that one of the selling points of vaping was colorful marketing and candy flavors that attracted children to purchase and use the item.

As a result, DOH is pushing for plain packaging for cigarettes and e-vape in hopes that it will deter users.

“Nagawa na natin yung warning yung graphic warning labels…  I think the next step is plain paper packaging na ginawa na rin sa ibang bansa,” he said.

(We’ve already done the graphic warning labels… I think the next step is plain paper packaging that other countries are also doing.)

He also shared that he hoped to strengthen programs on smoking cessation.

A national survey conducted in 2023 revealed that there were 1 million new smokers and vapers aged 10 to 19 years old in the year.

The same study recorded over 8 million tobacco-related deaths globally, and over 15 million adult smokers in the Philippines.

In January 2025, the House of Representatives approved a bill lowering the excise tax for cigarettes, tobacco, heated tobacco, and vapor (e-cigarette/vape) products aimed at curbing the decline in tax collection from the goods. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News